About Study Abroad in California Community Colleges
Community College Study Abroad Programs provide instruction by accredited faculty to community college
students in foreign locations. Programs range from single-subject two-week courses for
minimal credit to full semester with a full academic load with instruction in arts,
foreign languages, humanities, natural and physical sciences, social sciences, and
occupational fields. Travel and living
arrangements are typically arranged by the college, a 3rd party
provider, or both.
Study Abroad is distinct from study tours in that they have a
university accredited curriculum, that frequently matches transfer requirements
and provides WSCH based funding (ADA). Similar
to regularly scheduled classes, study abroad provides the college with state
funding based on an established ratio of faculty to student contact hours. As
such, study abroad class hours must match the state-mandated measurement of
teacher-to-student contact hours per unit per semester.
Study Abroad adheres to the community college
"open door" philosophy, as it includes all ages, aptitudes and
backgrounds without sacrificing academic standards. Students are not denied an
academic experience since they have a choice of taking classes either abroad or
on-campus since a domestic section is always offered. Therefore there is
no exclusion to academic experience. As in all academic programs, some
pre-requisites may exist, but for the most part, neither GPA, campus standing,
nor disabilities can figure into admittance into the study abroad program.
Finally, community colleges are bound by their mission to offer high-quality and
low cost academic programs which enables opportunities for all students to
participate. The open access philosophy makes study abroad accessible to many
students who would not otherwise participate in these educational endeavors. The
diversity of students, and the academic open access policy does not fit a
traditional higher educational profile for study abroad. Indeed, community
colleges have become the place to expand opportunities and challenge the notion
of higher education as an elitist venture intended for only the few and are
significantly impacting the field of study abroad.
Diversity Issues: Community college
student population mirrors a multicultural and multiethnic mixture of local
communities. Therefore, community colleges tend to serve a greater proportion of
lower income and minority students than in any other post-secondary institution.
This is also evident in study abroad programs offered by community
colleges.
BENEFITS: Numerous studies confirm
the benefits gained from studying abroad for all students, and especially for
under-represented students. Benefits for all students from studying aboard
include definite changes in perception and attitude towards global
relationships, increased empathy towards politics and social service,
significant learning curve growth in interpersonal skills, academic performance
and reduction of cultural stereotypes. While short-term programs may not allow
beginning language learners to gain in terms of grammar skills, they do gain in
life experiences. For 1st generation or immigrant students, all forms
of study abroad provide an opportunity to re-learn their own cultures and
histories. For students who have not traveled beyond their own neighborhoods,
studying abroad becomes a life altering experience. In addition, Study Abroad is
typically looked upon favorably by universities and employers.
Study abroad is a recognized investment in the
future ability of the student to interact in our multicultural world and assists
them as they transfer to a four-year institution or as they proceed into the
workplace environment. Most importantly, however, is that what benefits
four-year college students in terms of study abroad also benefits community
college students.
REGIONAL CONSORTIA BASED ON LOCAL GEOGRAPHY
Many CCIE member colleges belong to other consortia that specifically emphasize
study abroad cooperatives, and which have ties to single study-abroad contractors. There
is no conflict of interest in belonging to CCIE and to these other study-abroad consortia.
a) Foothill Consortium for Study Abroad, includes: Antelope Valley College, College
of the Canyons, Citrus College, Crafton Hills College, MiraCosta College, Mt. San Antonio
College, Palomar College, Rio Hondo College, San Bernardino Valley College, Victor Valley
College. Citrus College is the fiscal agent and lead college.
b)Northern California Study Abroad Consortium (NCSAC) : Santa Rosa Junior College, Contra
Costa District; San Mateo District; Los Rios District
c) Study Abroad Consortium of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College
Association: MiraCosta College, Miramar College, Mesa College, San Diego City College,
Grossmont College, Southwestern College, and Imperial Valley College.
e-mail:mfroehli@sdccd.net
FINANCING STUDY ABROAD
Many study abroad programs include the cost of tuition, housing, meals and academic
courses as part of the program price. Some programs include airfare as well in the program price.
To help you relate, add up the current costs of your tuition, books, rent, meals and extracurricular activities
and use that as a benchmark against your desired study abroad program.